I mounted my first project,a lifesize racoon.Im really surprised how well it turned out.Looking at the coon from all angles,you cant see the dorsal incision.But when I examine the incision under the hair,I see that it has opened up leaving a quarter inch gap.None of the stitches have pulled.The mount has been dried for two months now.I tanned the hide using the Lutan F method.I followed every step except the tumbling.Dont have a tumbler.So I sort of broke the skin over a table edge.So,,,is this gap in the incision due to not tumbling?I think my stitching was good but not sure.I used Killer Hide Glue.The wet skin fit loosly on the form,no struggling.The one thing that bugs me is that I rehydrated the tanned and oiled hide in a pail overnight in order to mount it the next day.Maybe all this soaking took out some of the tan or oil?Can someone enlighten me please...Thanx
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That's normal shrinkage for just about any tan. To really prevent or trying to keep a seam that is tight you need to use some type of an epoxy and that has to be placed right under the seam as you sew. This will even stop the seams from pulling apart but this is only used for high tech compitition use.
The next thing you can use is pin the skin in place till it dries this also will help stop the seam from pulling apart.
That's exactly why I've all but stopped using the dorsal cut. Takes a little longer, but a ventral cut or a case cut just hide easier. Nine chances out of ten had you used either of those two, you'd have not even looked at them at this point.
I normally go with a form a little smaller than the measurements. One reason is many forms are bigger than the stated size in the catalog, the other reason it the seam pulling. Since I have swithed to Epo-Grip hide adhesive, pulling is no longer a problem. Good tight stitches tied off every 2 inches and close stitch patterns also help.
Thanx for the useful info fellas,its much apreciated...